‘Extremely challenging’ financial future for GAA
Kerry GAA operated at a loss of €10,722
KERRY GAA faces an “extremely challenging” few years from a financial point of view, with the maintenance of the new Centre of Excellence at Currans and a poor return from a couple of fundraising ventures, central to the expected hardship ahead. That’s according to County Committee treasurer Dermot ‘Weeshie’ Lynch who forewarns of the challenges in his annual report to Convention tonight.
The Kerry County Committee’s accounts for 2016 show an overall profit of €494k for the year but the organisation made a small operating loss of €10,722 from its day to day operations. The overall profit was achieved with income of €409k from the Board’s international fundraising, €49k from Cairde Chiarraí and €46k from Austin Stack Park fundraising. However, with much of that money ring-fenced for the completion of the development at Currans, Lynch warns of the on-going financial challenges, but he is hopeful those challenges will be met by the county’s “very loyal group of fundraisers and supporters”.
In his report to Convention Lynch states: “The next number of years are going to be extremely challenging from a financial point of view to Kerry GAA. With Currans up and running we’ll have additional running costs to contain with. Fitzgerald Stadium will also have to be maintained but won’t have the rental income of a Kerry v Cork Munster Championship game.
“The Kerry GAA Lotto and Car Draw returns are very disappointing and begs the question do we need to have one overall County Board draw to meet our financial challenges in the future. This challenge cannot be under estimated but I’ve no doubt will be met by the very loyal group of fundraisers and supporters based in Kerry and beyond. This area is going to take huge financial management and commitment to ensure all targets are achieved and obligations met.”
He goes on: “This year proved to be a very challenging year for the board financially as against the previous two years, with our senior football team not reaching the All Ireland Final, fundraising activities such as the Car Draw and Golf Classics are seriously impacted.
“To keep Kerry teams successful, huge effort is required from players and management alike which in turn demand more resources resulting in additional costs to the board reflected in our team expenses especially in the area of player welfare and medical expenses. The results achieved for 2016 would not be possible without the support of our players and management teams who are well aware of the tight financial constraints that we have to operate within.
“Fundraising is and will continue to be a major source of income for Kerry GAA in the future and we look forward to the continued support of all our patrons and supporters.”